"The CSA is the professional organization for cryogenic engineers in all areas of the field, so to be recognized by your colleagues, many of whom are also your friends, is a special event," said Van Sciver.

FSU News

FSU engineering professor receives rare honor in cryogenics

By Amy Winters

A Florida State University engineering professor recognized as a top expert in the field of low-temperature physics has received an exceedingly rare honor--a fellowship in the Cryogenics Society of America.

Steven Van Sciver

Steven Van Sciver, the John Gorrie Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering and a founding member of the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, becomes just the fifth member of the Cryogenics Society of America to be named a fellow of that organization since its founding in 1964.

The society bestows the honor on a "member of distinction in cryogenics who has made notable valuable contributions to the field of cryogenics." Van Sciver is the author of more than 150 publications on low-temperature physics, liquid helium technology, cryogenic engineering and magnet technology, and also is author of the highly regarded textbook, "Helium Cryogenics." In addition, he is a fellow of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and the American editor for the journal Cryogenics.

"As significant as Dr. Van Sciver's body of work is in size, it is the high quality of his work that will have the greatest impact on the scientific community," said Chiang Shih, an FSU professor of engineering and chairman of the College of Engineering's department of mechanical engineering. "For example, his textbook 'Helium Cryogenics' is very popular for both educational and research purposes."

Van Sciver, a former director of the magnet lab's Magnet Science & Technology division, heads up the lab's Cryogenics Group, which performs research and development projects involving very-low-temperature science and technology.

"It is a distinct honor to be elected this year as a Fellow of the Cryogenic Society of America," Van Sciver said. "The CSA is the professional organization for cryogenic engineers in all areas of the field, so to be recognized by your colleagues, many of whom are also your friends, is a special event," said Van Sciver. "I would be remiss to accept such an honor without mentioning that this recognition would not have been possible without the dedicated hard work over the years of my students and collaborators, all of whom have richly contributed to my professional experience."

The Cryogenic Society of America (www.cryogenicsociety.org) is the technical society and trade association for cryogenics engineers in research and industry. Its members represent scientists working in the space program, high-energy physics, industry, research labs and academia, among other fields.